To think that tampons are making my periods heavier but shorter?

[Owletty]

I've recently in the last few months started wearing tampons 16 hours a day whilst on my period. Since doing this I've found my periods have been a lot heavier (first 2 days changing a super plus extra tampon every 2-4 hours) but shortened in length by a day or two.

Anyone else noticed this? Previously I'd only use a tampon here and there for a few hours.

Science and physics says NOT POSSIBLE. That's not how uterine shedding works 😂

I suppose blood is making its way down from the uterus, through the cervix and down the vagina. You’re catching it a bit higher up than you were.

I went for my smear and they couldn’t do it as there was a load of blood up there, nurse said my period was coming. It didn’t start properly until a day and a half later though.
So I think it does sort of make sense and I’ve always thought the same as you!

I guess the blood doesn’t have as far to travel... also the chemicals in these thins can make your periods heavier, so many people say that when they switch to cloth or mooncups their periods get much lighter and less painful, so it is possible for it to have changed your periods!

Same thing happens to me. I’ve always thought it’s less to do with how ‘uterine shedding’ works & the fact that I subconsciously ‘clench’ a bit more if I’m not wearing tampons because I find wearing towels gross - perhaps nuts but I feel it’s true!!

Tampons “mop up” the blood as soon as it leaves the cervix rather than it slowly oozing out and pooling high in the vagina so I’d say yes this is probably right.

I'm
Glad I'm not the only one to think this

Well lots of people say mooncups make their periods shorter and lighter 🤷🏻‍♀️